{"id":4512,"date":"2024-01-05T13:57:45","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T13:57:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeuropeannaturetrust.com\/?p=4512"},"modified":"2024-01-09T14:43:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T14:43:33","slug":"switzerlands-planned-killing-of-wolves-draws-national-and-international-condemnation-contravening-science-and-public-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeuropeannaturetrust.com\/switzerlands-planned-killing-of-wolves-draws-national-and-international-condemnation-contravening-science-and-public-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"Switzerland\u2019s culling of wolves draws national and international condemnation, contravening science and public opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
National and international criticism is growing at Switzerland\u2019s wolf cull which started on the 1st<\/sup> December and which promises to be the most extreme ever implemented in Europe since the recovery of the species. Over 360 environmental and animal protection organisations including the IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group<\/a> \u2014 the global leading expert on wolves and their wild relatives, and The European Nature Trust \u2014 have so far expressed their deep concern and condemnation in an open letter to the Swiss government<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of 5 January, 32 wolves have so far been culled under the new legislation: 22 wolves in the Valais; 8 in the Grisons; 1 in St Gallen and 1 in Ticino. It is worth remembering that the two-month cull, which began on 1 December, targets a total of 12 packs and up to 2\/3 of the young in other packs, thereby reducing the Swiss wolf population by as much as 70% \u2013below the estimate given for a minimum viable population of 20 packs<\/a> in Switzerland, as IUCN scientists have determined, with the aim of further culls to maintain a low level. <\/p>\n\n\n